Mayan 2012 Celebration on the Riviera Maya
The Mayan 2012 celebration is under way in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. The Riviera Maya has become a magnet for families and couples who’ve discovered this 80-mile stretch south of Cancún, with white-sand beaches, great snorkeling and diving, and some of the best-excavated Mayan ruins. The Viceroy Riviera Maya Hotel is running a series of celebrations on the 21st of each month. Hang out with archaeologists and a Maya shaman and go to a Dec. 21 party on the beach at the 
Rosewood Mayakoba, or try a variety of unforgettable Mayan-inspired experiences, including spa treatments, special tasting menus, and activities in celebration of the Mayan civilization at the Fairmont Mayakoba (where we stayed). We left the resort many times and experienced only friendly, helpful people, without the extreme poverty or begging you see in other parts of the world. There are many hotels along the same beautiful stretch of beach, some all-inclusive (like the highly-recommended Dreams Resorts). You can find happiness at any one of them, but here are three reasons to stray from your resort.
ECO-PARKS: The area’s three environmentally friendly water theme parks, Xcaret, Xel-ha, and Xplor, are exceptionally great. If your family likes adventure, try the newest one, Xplor. We did, and it was clean, new, and safe. We tried all 14 zip-lines (these zips lines have double wires so they are the safest), we swam and rafted through a cave and drove the amphibious vehicles. Something new is also being added, a “twist zip-line”. Ladies be sure to wear your bathing suits with a pair of shorts over them, and you definitely need some kind of water shoes (no flip flops). They have lockers, and you must be 6 years or older. If you have children who are able to do these things they will love you for taking them there. 
For the more timid, Xcaret and Xel-Ha have an outdoor “interactive” aquarium, you can actually swim with parrot fish and manta rays in lagoons. Xel-Há (pronounced shell-ha) will be lighting up the night sky and shimmering waters with a thousand floating candles on Dec. 20 and Dec. 22. They’re also throwing Grand Dinners from Dec. 17 to 22, with stargazing and explanation of the Maya astrological predictions. Xcaret, the more Disneyesque of the two, has dazzling shows—Mexican rodeos and reenactments of Meso-American Indian games, involving costumes, tribal music, even great balls of fire.
DOLPHINS: Delphinus Xcaret is located inside Xcaret Eco Park and is the best value for a Dolphin Experience I’ve seen. My son did the Dophin Ride and we have the most amazing photos of him standing and being pushed by dolphins. He swam and interacted with 3 dolphins and we were only gone from the resort for about 3 hours so we didn’t miss the entire day. Delphinus Xcaret, was awarded with the Guinness World Record for being the dolphinarium for the most dolphins born in one facility.
MAYAN SITES: Just five minutes from the surfer town of Tulum, the Tulum Ruins are among the world’s most famous and best maintained Mayan structures. Their white stones, manicured lawns, and unusual position—not deep in the jungle like other sites, but on a bluff overlooking the Caribbean—also make them the most visually striking. Cap off your sightseeing with a swim and a nap on the beach. You can try the Coba Ruins as well, we took a half day Coba Express excursion so not to be stuck in a van all day (we skipped the stops along the way where you can swim in freezing cold cenotes). In Coba, you and your children can actually climb the ruins, feel like an early explorer in the jungle, and bike from site to site.
